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Eccl. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. It is always good to reach a conclusion, especially a good conclusion. Ecclesiastes 7:8 states, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Take context into consideration. See word vanity. Consider setting of book of Ecclesiastes - speaks of the flesh - couple with Proverbs - also speaks of the flesh, but the tone of the two books is different.
What is fear? Is fear respect? Admiration? Being awed? The word means to be so afraid (fearful) as to be awed into dreadful reverence, astonished by the terribleness of greatness, righteousness, honor and power. What commandments?
Whose commandments? God's - Not man's. This is not "legalism" (in order to be saved). It is obedience. Don't be "illegal". 2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." Fear God and keep his commandments regardless of what anybody else thinks. Many times we take our cues about what is right or wrong from those around us. May God help us to stop doing that and judge our actions solely on the Word of God. Whole duty? YES!! This duty come above care for ourselves, our family, or church, our nation, and everything else. Our worship must be Gods way, never our way. We must divest ourselves of all our good, our righteousness, our thoughts, or motives, and everything else belonging to us, and worship Gods way even if that way doesnt make any sense at all to us. We will not worship illogically, or stupidity, we will worship in spirit and in truth. V14 - Serve out of being scared? No, but know the facts about the coming judgment. Done dirty? God knows. Do somebody dirty? God knows. God judges righteous judgment - from heart. See sin in Noah's day. See Lot. See Balaam. God will bring all works into judgment - no man is the cause of this judgment. No lawyers present. No appeals. No second chances. We will finally see the results of our lives - good and bad. "...every work into judgment, with..." All the circumstances of every good and bad work - of the heart. People do not understand why we do, or have done, what we do, but God does. He judges righteous judgment - YES!! II Samuel 24:1-17 David desired to fall into God's hand when it came to being judged for numbering the people. There is mercy with God, but not with man - most of the time. The three plagues offered David are:
II Timothy 4:1 "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" |